Global Democratic Backsliding: Trends and Concerns
Independent researchers have tracked a decline in democratic freedoms across many countries. What backsliding looks like and how it happens.
For much of the late 20th century, democracy appeared to be spreading around the world. Over the past two decades, independent research groups that track political freedoms have reported the opposite trend in many countries: a gradual erosion often described as democratic backsliding.
What backsliding looks like
Democracies rarely collapse overnight. More often, elected leaders weaken them step by step:
- undermining the independence of courts and electoral bodies;
- pressuring or capturing independent media;
- restricting civil society and the right to protest;
- changing rules to entrench those already in power.
Why it is happening
Researchers point to several drivers, including political polarisation, economic insecurity, disinformation spread through social media, and declining trust in institutions.
Signs of resilience
The picture is not uniform. Some countries have reversed backsliding through elections, strong courts and active civil society. Nordic democracies such as Sweden consistently rank among the most robust in international indices, underlining the role of trusted institutions and a free press.
What protects democracy
Independent courts, free and plural media, transparent elections and engaged citizens remain the strongest safeguards, and they depend on people continuing to value them.
